Tensions flared post-match between Jarrod Bowen and Mario Lemina after West Ham United's 2-1 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night. The Hammers had opened the scoring nine miutes after half-time through midfielder Tomas Soucek and had another goal ruled out on the hour mark by VAR.
Matt Doherty hit back but Bowen netted the winner on the 72nd minute to give West Ham the edge in the basement battle between two of the Premier League's struggling teams so far this season. And there were unsavoury scenes post-match with both sets of players unhappy at full-time with Bowen explaining what he thought caused the drama.
"I just went to shake his hand after the game," he said. "He didn't want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say 'well done' after the game."
"I know it's difficult when you lose. "I've been on the end of that situation."
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil also had his say on the flare-up, telling a press conference after the game: "Mario is calm now. He's a passionate guy and something was said that upset him." "The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn't get into trouble, but he took some calming down."
Soucek and Bowen both paid tribute to West Ham striker Michail Antonio, who is in hospital after a car crash in Epping Forest on Saturday. Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui revealed Antonio, who is recovering after surgery on his leg, had held a video call with his team-mates before the game.
"He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour," Lopetegui said. "It was a special moment for us.
"I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. "He's alive so we are happy."
